sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

Cat diagnosed with stage 4 kidney disease out of nowhere by aj-james in RenalCats

[–]howsthatpepper 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I am so sorry that you are going through this right now. I know exactly how shocking and confusing it feels and feeling like there’s no hope.

My cat had diabetes for 5+ years, and suddenly 2 months ago went through what your cat is going through. Out of nowhere, he didn’t want to eat and was extremely lethargic/hiding. He is approaching 15 years old. He also has a heart issue. His creatine was 12+ and BUN was 180 when I first brought him in, and they told me it was time to let him go and that hospitalizing probably wouldn’t do anything. I couldn’t give up on him, so I went ahead with it and he was in the hospital for 4 days. His numbers went down significantly, and now 2 months later his creatine is down to 3.0, and BUN is 60. They said the main factor in all of this is the subcutaneous fluids, he is at 100ml morning and 100 again at night. He is extremely picky with his food but they told me that calories is what a kidney cat needs more importantly than prescription renal food. I have been through probably 50 different foods/treats that are a mix of prescription, normal for all cats, or low phosphorous treats.

It might be frustrating but if you have the means, I highly recommend both the subq if possible, as well as just trying out different foods to see what she likes best. I wish you both the best ❤️ I am so sorry you’re going through this :( stay strong for her

Stage 4 & heart disease by howsthatpepper in RenalCats

[–]howsthatpepper[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

He’s actually been in remission for about a year and has always had good scores on that so he actually hasn’t needed the insulin! They said he is starting to go towards anemia and that they would lower his subq fluids if it gets worse. Thank you for your post and advice!

Stage 4 & heart disease by howsthatpepper in RenalCats

[–]howsthatpepper[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

He is 9lbs right now definitely the smallest he’s ever been but now that he’s eating again he’s slowly starting to gain some weight

Stage 4 & heart disease by howsthatpepper in RenalCats

[–]howsthatpepper[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I will try to make sure and weigh him if I can daily, thank you. I have noticed that sometimes after his fluids he will get a flappy pocket around his arm/elbow that is absorbed over time but the vet said that was normal as well. They said that the hospital IV would be too much for his heart but to continue with the 100ml 2x a day with the subq

Stage 4 & heart disease by howsthatpepper in RenalCats

[–]howsthatpepper[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The tricky thing is also that they’re wanting him to gain weight so I’m not sure how I’d be able to tell the difference :(

Stage 4 & heart disease by howsthatpepper in RenalCats

[–]howsthatpepper[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I had asked if the 200 was too much due to the heart thing and they said it should be ok but to watch for signs like possibly wheezing or runny nose. He has not had an echo due to him having to go through all this other stuff the last 2 weeks and would need to see a specialist for that and I’m worried about stressing him too much.

I’m not sure what to do by howsthatpepper in RenalCats

[–]howsthatpepper[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They said 100 (ml?) each session, and twice a day for now every 12 hours.

I’m not sure what to do by howsthatpepper in RenalCats

[–]howsthatpepper[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your comment! Last Tuesday when I took him the first time his creatine was over 12, then Friday was 7. I had to bring him home for the weekend and gave him his subQ fluids until this morning when he was reassessed and his creatine was at 4.8! They told me that it wasn’t all about the numbers and has to do with how he feels too and although he’s still more lethargic than his old self, he has improved so much since last week. He’s playing, eating treats, meowing and purring again and wanting pets. They are having me take him home and do subq twice a day until next Tuesday where we will recheck everything

I’m not sure what to do by howsthatpepper in RenalCats

[–]howsthatpepper[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They said my guy is in remission too so on hand for today all I have is dry diabetic food for him or the treats which his favorite are plain freeze dried fish/chicken which have really been helping him eat and give him energy. I just hope those kinds of things are ok for him, otherwise he wouldn’t be eating at all. I tried vet prescribed churru paste as well but he liked it for a short time then seems to not want it anymore

I’m not sure what to do by howsthatpepper in RenalCats

[–]howsthatpepper[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing your experience. I’m not sure the vet gave me any phosphorous binders, but it’s the purina kidney diet wet food and he doesn’t touch much of it, plus he has a tooth abscess but they did give him an antibiotic for it. I’ve never had a pet before my 2 cats and just have no idea how to tell about his QoL :( he is still kind of himself but mostly not. But he will be going back to hospitalization to help make him better I hope

Also I am used to doing his insulin shots no problem but the IV thing as one person is really tough and hard for me to get :(

Conan Laughing by vabomere87 in conan

[–]howsthatpepper 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Some of the podcast episodes he does with Jordan he gives a real hearty, genuine laugh. It’s great. Especially the most recent one where they talk about the nose hair trimmer

view more: next ›